The University of Alaska System is a university system in Alaska. The UA system was created in 1975. Since then, it has expanded to nineteen campuses between three separately accredited universities. The University of Alaska system as a whole currently serves nearly 35,000 full- and part-time students and provides 500 unique degrees.[1]

The University of Alaska System consists of three main universities, each with several satellite campuses in smaller communities.[2] It also includes three large satellite community colleges on UAA's accreditation. Prince William Sound College in Valdez is an independently accredited institution underneath the University of Alaska Anchorage. The three major institutions in the University of Alaska system are:

Since the population of Alaska is smaller than most U.S. states, the University of Alaska System is a relatively small one. However, it does have several notable academic departments. At UAF, these are the geology department, the atmospheric sciences department, and the wildlifebiology department. Reflecting the state's small population, the amount of Federal land granted to the University of Alaska under the Morrill Act was the second-smallest grant in the country.[4]

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The University of Alaska is formally established under Article VII of the Alaska State Constitution. Article VII also establishes a Board of Regents, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature, that is tasked with governing the University. All Regents serve eight-year terms, except for the Student Regent who is nominated by the three main campuses for a two-year term.[5] The Board selects a University President who oversees the statewide administration. Under the president, responsibility for the three main universities is assigned to their respective chancellors. There is also the Coalition of Student Leaders, composed of representatives from the various UA student governments around the state and advocates for student issues.[6]This is the universities leadership as of 11/9/15.[7]

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is the largest university in the state, with approximately 20,000 full- and part-time students across all of its campuses. There are twelve Colleges within UAA, four of which are community colleges in Valdez, Soldotna, Kodiak, and the Mat-Su.[8] UAA has thirteen different sports through the NCAA, and compete nationally as the Seawolves.[9] UAA also boasts the nationally competitive Seawolf Debate Team.

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is the smallest university in the system. UAS focuses on a strong liberal arts education and experiential learning. It has campuses in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan; however, the Juneau Campus is the largest. There are four academic schools at UAS; the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Management, the School of Career Education, and the School of Education.